a series of questions to identify
whether it was possibly a fragility
fracture. If so, they provide patients
with information about osteoporosis
and advise them to speak to
their own doctors about further
investigation. Staff also send a letter
to the family physician of every
person identified, indicating that
patient’s risk factor for osteoporosis.

Health Link Alberta staff follow up
with the at-risk patients at three, six
and 12 months reinforcing tips on
preventing osteoporosis and to gather
further research on their treatments
and outcomes.

Dr. David Hanley, a researcher,
physician and osteoporosis expert
at;the;University;of;Calgary,;is;one
of the architects of Catch a Break.

He points out the huge care gap
in treating osteoporosis in this
province—something he hopes
the program will help address.

For example, although 80 to 90 per
cent of hip fractures are a sign that
osteoporosis is present, statistics
show that only 10 to 15 per cent of
Albertans with hip fractures receive
treatment for osteoporosis. And
almost half of those people have
suffered previous fragility fractures.

“The big pitch I was making isthat if only 10 per cent of peoplewith hip fractures are getting treatedthen we’re not getting anywhere,”says Hanley, who is also a memberof the Alberta Innovates – HealthSolutions (AIHS) OsteoarthritisTeam. “We hope Catch a Break willraise awareness that people whosuffer these fractures are at highrisk for more fractures, and thatwith appropriate investigation andtreatment many of these fractures canbe prevented.”Hanley says family physiciansoften don’t realize their patientshave suffered fractures. In manycases, patients go to emergencydepartments and then cast clinics fortreatment but might never mentionthe incidents to their own doctorsat their next visit. Which is why akey component of Catch a Break isinforming family physicians abouttheir patients’ risk for osteoporosis.

“This was designed partly as aneducation program for physicians,”Hanley emphasizes. He adds thatthis element, along with the followupcalls), really set Catch a Break apartfrom other such “identification”programs.

Catch a Break is a prime example
of how AHS puts research evidence
into practice to benefit Albertans.
And in this case, the research behind
the program happened right here.
Hanley points to two clinical trials
conducted in Alberta, led by Alberta
researchers Dr. Sumit Majumdar
(an AIHS-supported investigator)
and Dr. Don Morrish, that very
clearly showed the benefits of
investigation and treatment following
wrist and hip fractures. Catch a
Break draws on the evidence from
this research.

Catch a Break was launched June
9 in the Edmonton area and will
be launched across the province in
the coming months. Initial patient
feedback on the program has been
very positive.

— Janet Harvey

For more information on theprogram and on osteoporosisvisit MyHealth.Alberta.ca andsearch Catch a Break.